Japan pledges USD 3.7m to support Maldivian Coastguard

The government of Japan has pledged to provide USD 3.7 million as assistance to further develop the operations and service of the Maldivian Coastguard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC).

An agreement was reached yesterday by the Japanese government in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC). The funds provided are worth about MVR 57 million. 

Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives Keiko Yanai signed the agreement on behalf of Japan while UNODC Crime Prevention and Crime Justice Officer Masamoto Yamaguchi signed the agreement on behalf of UNODC. Maldivian Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi and Chief of Defense Force Major Abdulla Shamaal also took part in the ceremony to sign the agreement. 

The fund would be provided divided into three years. Constructing four new floors of the MRCC offices will be carried out in the first year. This includes establishing facilities such as a library and a training facility. 

The second-year will be focused on Search and Rescue Maritime Law Enforcement Training Programs which will see the participation of various branches of the coastguard. 

Japan has also previously assisted the Maldivian Coastguard, most notably with the donation of USD 7.6 million to procure communication equipment and diving gear last November.